The original novel, Volume 5, and the manga adaptation, Volume 2, will be simultaneously released on [April 25].
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---
Selina, who had been delivered to the capital planet by the Banfield family's fleet, immediately visited the prime minister, who was working in the palace.
First, she dismissed her subordinates, and now they were alone in the office.
"---Did you notice something about her?"
"Yes. The Banfield family's secret agents are excellent. They seem to have inherited the skills of the secret agents who once operated in the capital."
Could the secret agents like Kukuri be descendants of those who once operated in the palace?
The prime minister nodded in agreement with Selina's speculation.
"Since you managed to defeat Prince Linus and Prince Calvin, it's within the realm of imagination. The fact that you were safely delivered to me is due to the Duke of Banfield's benevolence, isn't it?"
In response to the prime minister's question, Selina shook her head.
"It's a severance. The duke has been continuously strengthening his military power. Although they suffered significant damage in the war with the Hegemony Kingdom a few years ago, they have filled the gap."
Selina projected the information she had obtained in front of the prime minister.
As several pieces of data appeared in the air, the prime minister narrowed his eyes.
"---It's not just about acquiring a few resource satellites of rare metals. It seems they have something else, just like the Berkeley family, which was once destroyed."
The prime minister concluded that Liam must possess something special, given the impossible numbers.
However, he did not seem panicked.
Selina continued.
"We must conclude that they have the intention to rebel. If we do nothing, the Banfield family will acquire an even more elite army and threaten the empire."
After the war with the Hegemony Kingdom, the Banfield family's army had gained the experience of surviving a great war.
Knowing this, Selina was on high alert.
The prime minister, on the other hand, initially showed a reluctant expression.
"I think so too, and I have already advised the emperor and the crown prince. Further deterioration of relations could cause significant damage to both sides."
"Then, are the relations improving?"
Thinking that the empire might recognize the Banfield family's efforts and switch to a conciliatory policy, Selina's expression relaxed a bit.
Perhaps it was because she had been in their service for nearly a century and had developed feelings for them.
However, the prime minister immediately denied it.
"How nice it would be if that were the case. ---The empire intends to crush the Banfield family. They said they don't mind turning their territories to ashes."
"Really!?"
Selina, surprised that they would go that far, was asked by the prime minister about Liam's condition.
"It's true. He was concerned about the duke's condition. I heard he was quite exhausted from the war with the Hegemony Kingdom, but what's the real situation?"
In response to this question, Selina answered honestly.
As a spy for the prime minister, she had no choice but to answer.
"---It was a fierce battle, and he suffered deep mental wounds. Although he has been treated, the effects seem to be minimal."
Given Liam's position, it was natural that he would have been treated, the prime minister nodded, imagining how severe the war with the Hegemony Kingdom must have been.
"An opponent that has long troubled the empire. The duke, who attacked the capital of the Hegemony Kingdom, is undoubtedly a hero, but the cost was great."
Even a hero like Liam must have been mentally drained and barely won the war against the Hegemony Kingdom.
---
Why am I here?
Although I've only been here once, I still vividly remember the throne room of the Hegemony Kingdom.
It's a place reminiscent of the Parthenon in ancient Greece, and in front of me stands a towering, muscular man.
This man is the king of the Hegemony Kingdom, a stern man known as the Hegemon.
Strangely, the Hegemon's cheeks are flushed red.
He looks shy and writhes like a maiden, which is oddly terrifying.
But the real terror is yet to come.
"I want to bear your child."
---I never expected to hear such a line from a manly man like the Hegemon.
Who would ever expect to be confessed to?
Cold sweat broke out, and I screamed.
"Noooooo!!"
I let out a pathetic cry that echoed through the throne room.
---
"Noooooo!!"
I jumped up from the bed and looked around, sitting up.
The familiar room, the familiar furniture.
My heart was pounding fast and loudly.
The sweat was making me feel uncomfortable.
As I wiped the sweat from my forehead, Rosetta, who was supposed to be sleeping next to me, had gotten out of bed.
She was holding a glass of water.
"Darling, you were having a nightmare again. Here, drink this water."
"---Thank you."
I took the glass from Rosetta and drank it all at once, feeling relieved.
It was terrifying. A very terrifying dream.
Even though I returned victorious from the Hegemony Kingdom, the Hegemon keeps appearing in my nightmares.
"Damn---I hate the Hegemon."
Why does he haunt my mind so much, even though I won?
Rosetta sat down next to me and hugged me to comfort me.
"It's okay. It's okay, darling."
Seeing Rosetta's teary eyes, I felt a bit guilty.
I had only told Tenjou about my nightmares---about the Hegemon confessing to me. It's embarrassing, so I couldn't tell anyone else.
As a result, Rosetta and others have misunderstood.
They think the war with the Hegemony Kingdom was so severe that it drained my spirit.
That's not true.
The army suffered significant damage, but I won because I was meant to win.
And yet, I am afraid of the Hegemon.
---I felt ashamed of myself.
"I will never forgive the Hegemon."
The one who has driven me to this point is the Hegemon alone.
---
The capital planet of the empire.
In the center of the vast audience chamber, two glasses filled with a rainbow-colored liquid were placed on a small round table.
Sitting in chairs on either side of the table were Emperor Argland [Bagrada] and Crown Prince [Cleo].
When they drank the strange, rainbow-colored liquid through straws, Cleo felt a variety of flavors in his mouth.
It tasted like sweets and tea, and then a refreshing coolness after swallowing.
It was quite a mysterious drink, but both of them were used to it and didn't seem to mind.
Bagrada, smiling, talked about the drink.
"These days, I only drink this. It's enjoyable with various flavors and provides excellent nutrition."
Cleo looked at him with a troubled smile.
"I've heard it's a cheap snack that commoners eat?"
"I've grown tired of luxury. This is enough for me now."
After their conversation, the two moved on to the main topic.
Bagrada told Cleo what he had heard from the prime minister.
"More years have passed since the war with the Hegemony Kingdom. It seems the Duke of Banfield hasn't recovered from the mental wounds he suffered in the war."
Cleo smiled with a sinister look as Bagrada told him this with a pleased expression.
"That's good to hear. Liam must have been hurt by the Hegemon, too."
"The empire has been troubled by this country for a long time. ---Now, it's time to get serious."
As Bagrada said this, he finished his drink and placed the empty glass on the table.
At the same time, information about people associated with the Banfield family appeared around them.
Eliot of the Clave Trading Company.
Patrice of Newlands Introduction.
And the prominent figures of the Seventh and Third Weapon Factories.
Also, the hotel in the capital where Liam and his people were based was listed.
Cleo glanced at the list and put his hand on his chin.
"Those are the people to be expelled from the capital, right? However, I think the Third Weapon Factory is a bit of a waste. Their products were very popular within the empire."
Cleo suggested keeping the Third Weapon Factory, but Bagrada shrugged.
"Unfortunately, it's too close to the Banfield family. Besides, other weapon factory owners have asked me to get rid of the Third. Many people will be happy if it disappears."
For the rival weapon factories, it would be better if the Third disappeared.
Some of them had obtained information and petitioned Bagrada to expel the Third.
Cleo nodded slightly.
"There's no other way, then."
"Another popular factory will soon emerge. Besides, the two weapon factories need to work hard for the Banfield family."
"Supporting the enemy? I couldn't believe it when I first heard about it."
Cleo, who was bewildered, made Bagrada chuckle.
He seemed to take the idea of aiding the enemy lightly.
Or rather---
"Isn't it more fun? In the empire, we will have other weapon factories mass-produce weapons. ---We also need to get the imperial military factories fully operational."
While the weapon factories were semi-official organizations, the factories were purely military, managed by the imperial military.
They collected data from all the weapon factories and manufactured weapons for the imperial military.
However, only a select few fleets within the imperial military could operate the weapons produced by the factories.
They were equipped only in elite fleets.
Cleo appealed to Bagrada.
"Please let me be the supreme commander when we dispatch the expeditionary force. I will report victory."
Even if Liam had become the greatest noble in the empire, Cleo judged that he would have no chance of winning if the entire empire turned against him. Therefore, he volunteered to be the supreme commander.
Bagrada nodded with a creepy smile and granted Cleo's wish.
However---
"Sure. But, I'll entrust the actual command to someone else."
Cleo couldn't refuse this proposal.
After all, he had acquired military knowledge through educational capsules but lacked actual experience.
He understood that commanding a fleet of several million ships would be an impossible task.
"Thank you. Then, who will actually command the fleet? A military officer from the imperial military?"
Bagrada pondered for a moment before answering.
"Maybe the Duke of Hampson? He's a noble in charge of the border, so he has extensive war experience. Besides, he's willing to do dirty work. ---I think he's the right person to burn the Banfield family's territories to the ground."
Among the reliable nobles, Bagrada chose the worst of them.
Then, he announced that he would send a famous fleet.
"Cosmo's fleet should also be dispatched. I'm sure he'll be delighted to participate with his friends."
Hearing "Cosmo," Cleo mentioned a person he recognized.
"Admiral Cosmo of the Special Task Fleet? Indeed, as a former space pirate, he would be the perfect irony for Liam."
Bagrada, as if remembering something, added another person to the list.
"Oh, and we should include Viscount Traid. He, like the duke, is a bundle of ambition, so he'll surely be happy to participate. ---And let's add Dustin as well."
"---The Sword Saint Dustin? If he is defeated by the One-Flash Style, the empire will lose all its sword saints, won't it?"
Dustin was the last sword saint remaining in the empire.
The empire had been trying to avoid a confrontation with the Banfield family, but the emperor was determined to include him.
"No, since we've designated him as a sword saint, let's make him work hard. Cleo, I'm entrusting them to you."
Cleo, entrusted with these excellent individuals, smiled nervously, sweating.
"I will report victory."
(If I lose, I'll lose my position as crown prince.)
A battle he couldn't afford to lose---a battle he was supposed to win.
Cleo asked Bagrada one last question.
"Then, when?"
"About ten years, including the preparation period? ---It'll be over in a flash."
Cleo received the ten-year preparation period with mixed feelings. It seemed long but also short, considering the battle against Liam.
(Ten years. In ten years, I will---defeat Liam!)
Bryan (Β΄οΌΟοΌο½): "It's tough with my former colleague being a spy---"
Wakagi-chan.γ»γγ»(γΠ`)γ»γγ»: "Sorry for being late, everyone. Did you miss me? By the way, this is a spoiler for the anime, but listen. I think you might have suspected it, but I---don't appear in the anime."
Wakagi-chan (/Ογ»οΌΌ) *Peek*: "But, don't go around saying 'Make Wakagi-chan appear!' in various places. It's not allowed. Really, it's not allowed! (Emphasis)"
Wakagi-chan (γβγ): "Well, let's promote it energetically today! The manga adaptation of 'The World of Otome Games is Harsh for the Mob' Volume 8 will be released on [May 9]. Not just 'I am the corrupt lord of an interstellar nation!' but also support this one!"
Bryan (Β΄οΌΟοΌο½): "It's tough in many ways.---And it would be great if this plant didn't cause trouble everywhere."